How to connect a switch with illumination

Everyone faced a situation where it is necessaryTurn on the lighting in an absolutely dark room. Even if the location of the switch is known, it is very difficult to cope with the task. And in an unfamiliar setting, searches can take a long time. Using a switch with backlight, you can avoid these situations.

Description

Going into the unlit room, each intuitivelytries to find a switch to turn on the light. Such a procedure is often accompanied by falling objects. The most unpleasant moment is a brown coating that remains on the wallpaper around the switch and along the entire "route" to it. It is almost impossible to wash these tracks without damaging the walls. Avoid damage to the interior and nerves help switch with a backlight.

What distinguishes this device from the usualdevices switching on lighting? The main feature is only the availability of a special light indicator that allows you to immediately find the location of the desired object in the dark. In appearance, there are no differences from the usual switches. An essential advantage of such a device is the use of an LED light bulb as an indicator, which saves energy consumption.

Varieties

The modern market offers many differenttypes of devices equipped with a light beacon. This allows each buyer to choose the most suitable version of the device. Switches differ not only in terms of external data, but also in design features. In the electrical shop you can find the following types of devices:

• keyboard models - are easy to install and affordable;
• pass-through switches - allow to activate one of the two lamps connected to them (used to illuminate long corridors and large rooms);
• pushbutton switch - instead of buttons such a device has buttons of various shapes.

All listed types of switches can be either with a backlight indicator or without it. One-, two- and three-keyboard models are popular.

Principle of operation

Before connecting the switch with theillumination, it is necessary to understand the device operation. As already explained, this device differs from a conventional switch with one piece - the presence of an indicator. This function can be performed by LED or neon light bulbs. The circuit of such a device provides for breaking the phase wire. In the presence of illumination, the diode lamp simply connects the wire in the off position.

Why, when the indicator does not turn onbasic lighting? The answer to this question is quite simple. The system of the device provides for the presence of a resistor having current-limiting properties. The resistance of the filament of the lamp is much less (practically equal to zero) than that of the indicator, so the operating voltage is supplied to the light of the switch with a series resistor connected. This causes the indicator to light up. If there is no light in the illumination scheme or it will be out of order, the indicator will also be unable to glow due to a dangling power circuit.

Connectivity

Installing the backlit switch is a fairly simple task.

The entire process will take no more than half an hour, subject to the following recommendations:

1. First of all, it is necessary to disconnect the power supply on the switchboard. You can de-energize only the room in which the installation will take place, or completely the whole room.
2. We remove the obsolete device. To do this, first remove the keys, and then the frame itself. At the end, unscrew the fasteners of the device and pull out the internal elements.
3. Slightly loosen the fasteners of the contacts and release the device.
4. On the back of the new light switchthere must be a wiring diagram, following which, we make the installation. Installation is carried out on the same principle as dismantling, only in the reverse order.
5. The last step is testing the device and backlight. To do this, it is sufficient to turn on the switch.

Which lamps are suitable for switches with an indicator?

How to connect the switch with the backlight so that there are no problems in the operation? First of all, it is necessary to find out with which lamps such an electrical connection is compatible.

Many note that when usingswitches with an indicator and energy-saving lamps, problems arise due to their incompatibility. The reason lies in the design of the lamps themselves. To charge a capacitor energy-saving lamp, even a small amount of voltage that passes through the diode is enough. This causes the starter to trip and turn on the lighting.

The trigger is repeated many times, which leads to flicker. Incorrect use of the lighting device adversely affects the duration of its operation.

Looking for a way out of the situation

How to connect a light switch incombination with energy-saving lamp? Specialists recommend in this case to install an additional resistor. A small current that charged the rectifier capacitor (with the lighting off) will pass through a shunt resistor of 2 W power.

Also on sale are LED lamps,which are compatible with the light indicators in the switches. They already have a shunt resistor built in, or a soft start. Such a device does not flicker when the capacitor is discharged, but the inclusion occurs within a few seconds.

Switches with illumination Legrand

The switch is an obligatory element of the electric system,which should be reliable and qualitative. One of the best devices are the French company Legrand. The manufacturer makes the base of the device from galvanized steel for better fastening of the switch to the wall. In the process of operation, such a base is not deformed.

Double switches with illumination series Valena fromthe French manufacturer are the most popular. They have a simple wiring diagram and can be used in rooms with high humidity. The company offers electroaccessories in such series as Etika, Soliroc, Celiane, Cariva, Galea Life, Kaptika.

Viko Switches

Turkish company Viko offers high-qualityand is one of the largest suppliers of such products. Switches with illumination Viko from series Carmen have graceful smoothed out forms and are executed from a cream or white plastic. It is easy enough to activate the design.

Switches have a light indicator with redglow that is appreciated by consumers. For internal installation, Karre devices with one or two keys, a dimmer, are also suitable.